Assessment of maternal nutrition during the periconceptional period in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment

Abstract

Background: Periconceptional nutrition is increasingly recognised as important in the development and growth of offspring, and has life-long health effects. A woman‟s nutritional status can affect her ability to conceive and bear healthy children. There is little known about the nutritional intake of women seeking fertility treatment. Aims: To determine whether women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment are consuming a diet consistent with current nutritional recommendations for women planning a pregnancy. To compare the nutritional intake of women having IVF treatment to other New Zealand women of the same age group. To determine whether women changed their nutritional intake according to the outcome of their IVF treatment. To look for nutritional factors or lifestyle choices that were correlated with the success of fertility treatment. Method: Data were collected using an initial lifestyle questionnaire and a ten day weighed diet record over the course of a single IVF cycle. Study participants were women undergoing IVF treatment through the Auckland and Hamilton Fertility Associates clinics (n=250). Results: The study sample were predominantly European and highly educated; 49% had a tertiary qualification. There were high rates of alcohol and caffeine use by women commencing IVF treatment (87% and 51% respectively). Over a third of women (37%) visited alternative health practitioners. Folic acid supplement use was inadequate for 17% of the total study sample, and 21% of the women who became pregnant. Women undergoing IVF treatment had relatively low energy intake from carbohydrate foods, a low fibre and calcium intake, a high sodium intake, and exceeded the recommendations for energy from total and saturated fat. Women increased their intake of carbohydrate foods and calcium, and significantly decreased their alcohol intake after being given a positive pregnancy result. Conclusion: The diets of study participants did not meet a number of the nutritional recommendations for women planning a pregnancy, and showed similar nutritional problems as the general New Zealand female population of the same age group. Women undergoing IVF treatment consumed diets high in total and saturated fat, and low in fibre, calcium and carbohydrate. There was high use of alcohol and caffeine which is contrary to recommendations made by the Ministry of Health and the fertility clinic. The results of participants‟ IVF cycles appeared to have some effect on their nutritional intake. Several lifestyle factors appeared related to the successful outcome of IVF treatment, but there were no nutritional factors that were clearly correlated with IVF success.